“I don’t know.” While she was certain the idea sounded enticing to her son, especially on such a hot day, she deferred to the other adults, particularly Carly. “What do you think?”
“Sure.” Carly held a hand over her eyes to block the sun. “But stay together and keep in mind that there’s a lot of pressure coming out of those hoses.”
“Enough to knock both you kids over,” added Noah. “So I wouldn’t get too close.”
“We won’t,” they responded in unison before running off.
“Famous last words.” Noah chuckled, leaning closer. Close enough for Lily to smell the faint aroma of his soap. “I meant to ask you, how do you feel about your ex running for state senate?”
Lily practically spewed the water she’d just taken a sip of. “What?”
His brow puckered in confusion. “You mean you don’t know? It was all over the news this morning.”
She blinked. “I haven’t turned on the news since we’ve been here.”
“In that case, Wade Davis is running for state senate.”
“Why?” She stared blankly, searching her mind for some clue as to what could have compelled Wade to do such a thing. He’d never had any political aspirations before.
I won’t be able to take the kids this summer. My associates and I are working a deal that’s going to require my undivided attention. Was that what he was talking about?
“He is in the oil industry,” said Noah. “Perhaps he’s got some ulterior motives.”
“I can guarantee it.” Because Wade Davis had motives for everything he did. And they were usually self-serving.
She thought about her children. Wade could have at least given her a heads-up so she could prepare them. Even though they weren’t apt to run into any reporters here in Ouray, they needed to be aware. And what if Wade wanted to take them on the campaign trail? Use them as pawns in his latest game?
No, she refused to dwell on it. She took another drink and recapped the bottle. “I know one thing for sure.”
Noah’s shoulder touched hers. “What’s that?”
“He won’t be getting my vote.”
“I kinda figured that. And if I lived in his district, he wouldn’t get mine, either.” His easy smile had her heart racing.
Fortunately, the fire-hose fights began, and it wasn’t long before she found herself thoroughly engrossed. Who knew such a thing existed? Teams of people aiming fire hoses at each other, trying to knock each other down. She loved each and every minute of it.
“What are we doing next?” Colton was soaked to the bone when he and Megan rejoined them.
Her brow lifted. “You mean after you change your clothes?” Fanning herself with a flyer someone had handed her, she watched Megan continue on to find Carly.
“Well, if I remember correctly—” Clint eased alongside Noah “—the activities are in a lull until the fireworks.”
Colton smiled. “I have an idea then.”
“Let’s hear it.” Lily waited.
“We could go horseback riding at the ranch.”
Her breath caught in her throat.
“And this time you could go with us, Mom.”
“Oh, I’d like that,” injected Piper.
Lily’s hand went to her neck. This wasn’t supposed to happen. This was her day away from the ranch and horses.
Her stomach churned. God, what am I going to do?
* * *
Noah recognized the glassy look in Lily’s eyes. Her tremulous smile. And if he didn’t do something fast, she’d find herself in the midst of another full-blown panic attack, like that first day when she came to the stable with her kids.
Except they weren’t at the stable. They were in the middle of Main Street, surrounded by hundreds of people.
What should he do, though? He couldn’t keep enabling her. Granted, her fear was valid, but why was she so afraid to tell her kids? Sure, they were young, but they’d understand, wouldn’t they?
He cupped a hand around Lily’s elbow, hoping the touch might snap her back to her senses. “That’s not a bad idea, Colton. I don’t know, though. What do you think, Lily?”
Looking up at him, she swallowed, her expression nowhere near as carefree as it had been only moments ago. “I—”
“Colton!” Everyone but Lily turned at the sound of Megan’s voice. And though it was Colton’s name she called, she seemed to address all four of them. “Aunt Lacie invited me to go to the hot springs pool with her, Uncle Matt and Kenzie, and she said you and Piper could come, too.”
Just the reprieve Lily needed. That was, if Colton went for it. The kid had fallen in love with horses, though, and had been talking about another family ride for some time.
Lacie approached then. “Just wanted to let you guys know that it was my and Matt’s idea to invite the kids.” She looked from Colton to Piper. “Have you two been to the hot springs pool yet?”
Piper squinted up at the Lacie. “I’ve been wanting to go, but Colton always wants to be at the ranch.”
“Oh, I see.” Tucking her long caramel-colored hair behind her ear, Noah’s sister-in-law knelt beside the little girl. “Well, you’re more than welcome to come with us even if your brother decides not to.”
Piper’s blue eyes went wide and shifted to her mother. “Can I go, Mommy? Please, please, please.” She prayed her hands together.
Slowly emerging from her stupor, Lily regarded her daughter first, then Lacie. “You—you’re sure you don’t mind?”
“Not at all. Kenzie loves playing with Piper.”
Behind Lily, Dad rubbed his chin. “You know that place is going to be packed—”
Hillary shushed him with an elbow to the ribs then smiled. “My granddaughters love the hot springs pool. Especially now that they’ve added those new slides.”
“They have water slides?” Colton’s interest was suddenly piqued.
“You mean you haven’t seen them?” Megan looked at Colton in eleven-year-old disbelief.
He shook his head.
“You really need to come with us then.” She nodded very matter-of-factly.
Lacie glanced at the sun still high in the western sky, then her watch. “Matt gets off work in about thirty minutes. That should be just enough time for everyone to gather up their suits and towels and meet over at our place.”
Smoothing a hand over her red-and-white-striped tank, Lily regarded Matt’s wife. “That’s very nice of you to do this. Thank you.”
“Not a problem. It’s not like we have to entertain the kids. Matt and I will just sit back and watch.”
“Yeah, if you can get Matt off the slide.” Not that Noah wouldn’t do the same thing. Those things were fun no matter what your age. He turned his attention to Lily’s son. “What do you say, Colton? Horses or hot springs?”
The kid scuffed a sneaker over the concrete sidewalk, trying to be nonchalant. All the while his eyes were alight with excitement. “I guess the hot springs would be kinda fun.”
“Kinda, huh?” Noah ruffled the boy’s wet hair. “Come on. Let’s head over to your place so you two can gather your stuff.”
After dropping the kids by Matt’s a short time later, Noah and Lily strolled Ouray’s side streets, savoring the quiet before heading to Andrew and Carly’s for an evening barbecue and fireworks. Of course, the time alone also gave Noah an opportunity to address the elephant in the room.
“You almost had another panic attack when Colton brought up horseback riding.”
Lily nodded but kept her focus on an ornate Victorian home.
“I get that you’re afraid. But do you think it’s fair of you to keep lying to Colton and Piper?”
The glare she sent him was filled with indignation. “I wouldn’t lie to my children.”
“Ever hear of lying by omission?”
&nbs
p; Again, she studied the house. Not to mention the trees, fences...
They eased around a corner, the silence between them heavy, filled only by the sound of gravel crunching beneath their feet and the chirps of broad-tailed hummingbirds swarming a nearby feeder.
Yet for as much as he wanted to let it go, he couldn’t. “You’re not being straight with them, Lily. As far as those kids are concerned, you enjoy horses and riding every bit as much as they do.”
Though her gaze remained fixed straight ahead, her features relaxed. “You think so?”
“I know so. Didn’t you hear Colton? He didn’t want to go riding today just to ride. He wanted to go riding with you. Something he didn’t get to do the last time.” Noah stopped then and turned her to face him. “You said you’d let me help you. And now that your foot’s better, it’s time for you to hold up your end of the deal.” He hesitated, choosing his words carefully. “Either that, or you’re going to have to tell Colton and Piper the truth.”
She let go a sigh. “I know you’re right. It’s just...” She lifted a shoulder. “I can’t tell my children I’m afraid. They look up to me. Count on me to be there for them, to take care of them. If I tell them I’m afraid of horses, they’ll lose faith in me.”
“No, they won’t. Not if you tell them why you’re afraid.”
“But they’ll think I—”
“Lied to them.”
She lowered her head. “I guess you’re right.”
Touching a finger to her chin, he encouraged her to look at him. “I don’t want to be right, Lily. I want to help you. But to do that, you have to be willing to step out of your comfort zone and accept that help.”
“And therein lies the problem.” She pulled away from his touch.
“What?”
“Leaving my comfort zone. It’s so...comfortable.”
He couldn’t help chuckling. “Are you always this difficult?”
“No. I usually like trying new things.”
“Such as?”
She shrugged. “Zip-lining, sushi—”
“Wait a minute.” He held up a hand. “You’ll eat raw fish that could have who knows what in it, but you’re afraid to get on a horse?”
At least she had the decency to look embarrassed. “I know it sounds silly—”
“Oh, it sounds more than just silly.”
She was quiet for a moment. Then, “What would be truly silly, though, is to tell my children the truth when I haven’t even made the effort to overcome my fear.” She looked him in the eye. “If you’re still willing to help me, I’m ready to accept your help.”
His smile was instantaneous. “Then I’ll see you Monday morning.”
Standing there in the shade of an aspen tree, he searched her pretty face, feeling his heart swell with something that hadn’t been there in a long time. Respect? The thrill of a challenge? Or something else he was too afraid to name?
Chapter Ten
To say Lily was nervous when she pulled into the ranch Monday morning would be an understatement. Yet for all of her anxiety, she had one thing going for her. Determination.
Noah was right. She either needed to overcome her fear of horses or come clean with her children. Only problem was, now that she’d resolved to overcome her fears, what might Noah expect from her? Would he make her get on Duke again? Or perhaps some other horse?
She wasn’t sure she was ready for that.
Small puffy clouds dotted an otherwise blue sky as she got out of her SUV.
“Mom, do you think maybe we could go to the hot springs tonight?” Colton emerged from the back seat. “Megan said they’re open until, like, ten. We could go after dinner.”
She chuckled, tossing her door closed. And to think Megan practically had to twist his arm to get him to go the first time.
“I think we can arrange that.” After today, she’d probably be ready for a good soak.
“And I can show you all the cool stuff.” Piper took hold of her hand as they started inside.
“Oh, I’d like that.”
“Good, you’re here.” Clint was waiting for them just inside the entrance.
“We are, indeed.”
“Noah was called away on an emergency, but he’ll be back soon.” His gaze bounced between her and the children. “In the meantime, he asked me to work with Piper on her riding while Jude helps Colton with his roping skills.”
And what about her? Was she supposed to wait for Noah? Not that she minded. Anything that delayed her having to get on a horse was fine by her.
“Oh.” Clint twisted her way. “And Noah suggested you help Megan feed and brush the horses.”
Feed and brush? That would involve getting up close and personal with the horses. Touching them. Or worse, the horse might touch her. With its teeth.
She cleared her throat. “What kind of emergency did he have?”
“Equine rescue.”
She wasn’t sure what all that entailed, but having witnessed Noah’s passion for horses, she was certain he was the right man for the job.
They were still in the lobby when Megan came around the corner. “Good morning.”
“You’re going to help my mom?” Colton seemed confused, if not disgusted, by the notion.
“No.” Megan’s response was very matter-of-fact. “She’s going to help me.”
“Why?” He looked from Megan to Lily.
Megan shrugged. “Because Uncle Noah said so.” Turning toward Lily, she said, “Are you ready?”
“As ready as I’ll ever be.” She followed the girl, wondering if she had any idea just how true that statement really was.
After Megan armed Lily with two buckets of feed, they continued down one of the corridors lined with stalls.
“You like helping your uncle Noah?” She followed the girl.
“Uh-huh. It means I get to be around the horses.”
Hmm... Too bad Lily couldn’t say that. “You like them, huh?”
“Oh, yeah.”
When they finally stopped, Lily read the wooden sign attached to the outside of the stall. “So this horse’s name is Cookie?”
“Yes, ma’am.” Megan slid the wooden and metal door to one side. “She’s sweet, but she likes to eat a lot. Do you want to brush her or feed her?”
Neither, really. “I don’t know. What do you think?”
The girl grabbed a long, oval brush that hung just outside the stall and handed it to Lily. “Just brush it across her back and sides. She’ll like it.”
“That’s good to know.” Because the last thing she wanted to do was make this horse mad.
She eyed the tan-colored animal for a moment. God, please don’t let this creature hurt me.
With a bolstering breath, she set the brush on the horse’s back and made a couple of short strokes.
The horse let go some kind of sound that had Lily taking a giant step back.
“Did I do something wrong?”
The girl smiled, shaking her head, sending her strawberry blond ponytail swaying back and forth. “No, that means she likes it.”
Lily let go the breath she’d been holding. “Okay, good.” Resuming her position next to the horse, she started brushing again, this time using longer strokes.
“Miss Lily, could you help me with the feed bucket?”
“Of course, sweetie.” Still holding the brush, she reached for the bucket with her free hand. That’s when she felt it. Cookie was trying to bite her other hand.
She jerked it away, letting out a loud yelp as she dropped the bucket to the ground, toppling it, spilling the feed.
“She tried to bite me!” Lily’s heart pounded against her chest.
Megan laughed. “She wasn’t trying to bite you. She was looking for a treat.”
Lily clasped her hand against her chest.
“She what?”
The kid continued to giggle. “That’s why her name is Cookie. She’s always looking for a treat.”
“Oh.” Feeling more than a little foolish, Lily slumped against the wall. “Megan?” She tried to slow her breathing.
“Yes, ma’am?”
“I’m going to trust you to keep this little episode just between us. Because if Colton gets wind of this, I’ll never hear the end of it.”
Megan finally stopped laughing. “It’s okay, Miss Lily. I promise not to tell.”
“Thank you, sweetheart.”
After sweeping up the spilled feed, the two continued on to the next horse. And though Lily did her best not to make a fool of herself again, she was no more comfortable than before.
They were on their way back to the feed room when they heard Clint yell for Jude. The urgency in his voice was unmistakable.
She turned to see Clint moving quickly down the corridor, toward the side of the building.
“What’s going on?” she asked as he passed. “Is something wrong?”
“Noah’s back.”
Jude jogged past her then, bypassing his father and continuing toward the large garage door–style opening at the side where they moved the horses in and out of the building.
Still confused as to what all the hoopla was about, she gathered the kids and followed.
She leaned toward Megan. “Do you have any idea what’s going on?”
“Uh-uh.”
Outside, they stood in the shadow of the stable as Noah opened the back of a small horse trailer.
Peering inside, she was able to make out a lone horse.
Noah eased beside it. “It’s all right, girl.” His voice was gentle and filled with compassion. “Come on. I’m not going to let anybody hurt you.”
Hurt her? What was that all about?
Several minutes passed and nobody moved. Not Clint, not Jude. Everyone, including the hands, just stood there at the side of the building, watching and waiting. Even the air was still.
Lily pulled Piper against her, uncertainty and curiosity plaguing her mind. What was going on?
When the horse finally emerged, Lily’s heart nearly stopped.
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